"We believe that all SMEs deserve a trusted business advisor"
The only designation that makes you the "outsourced CFO" for millions of SMEs
Recognition
Recognised in more than 10 statutes and regulations this designation makes you an accountant in practice, accounting officer, independent reviewer and independent accounting professional. You can perform work in South Africa and Namibia.
Where you fit in
If you would like the opportunity to start your own accounting practice and work with a range of clients including Companies. Close Corporations, Schools, Insurance Intermediaries, Non-Profit Organisations, Credit Providers, Co-Operatives, Sectional Titles, BBBEE, DTI Grants, CIPC and SARS, then the CBAP is the right designation for you.
The CBAP designation places you in charge of your client's accounting cycle making you an indispensable business partner. It equips you to: develop the financial plan that will support the clients business model, implement control systems and process transactions, prepare budgets and finance reports, prepare and analyse financial statements, issue assurance and non-assurance reports, file returns and perform tax planning.
The CBAP designation is the pathway to achieving a CIBA license, helping you move from generalist to specialist.
| LEVEL >> |
ROLE >> |
<< DESIGNATION |
APPLY NOW |
| Strategic |
Chief financial officer |
Chartered Chief Financial Officer (CCFO) |
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| Management |
Financial manager |
Chartered Financial Manager (CFM) |
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| Operational |
Financial accountant |
Chartered Business Accountant - Commerce (CBAC) |
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| Administrative |
Financial Administrator |
Chartered Financial Administrator (CFAdmin) |
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| Functional |
Bookkeeper |
Chartered Bookkeeper (CBK) |
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| Practice |
Accountant in Practice |
Chartered Business Account - Practice (CBAP) |
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Our designations have been carefully researched and aligned to industry norms and regulations. Each designation is based on a set of competencies that reflect the expertise required for each level within the finance department.
Steps to becoming a Chartered Business Accountant - Practice
If this is you then apply for the CBAP
- Accountant that wil be offering accountancy services to the public for a fee. Accountancy services include: accounting, auditing support, tax, management accounting, compliance and statutory services, and business advisory services.
- Typical roles eligible for the designation include: Accounting officer, tax practitioner, compiler, prepared, assurance provider, business advisor.
- Persons from any nationality that may have an interest in Souther Africa.
The job descriptions associated with a CBAP
There are a variety of job descriptions associated with the CBAP designation. This short summary explains more about what is expected of a CBAP within the finance department.
Statutory criteria
CBAP is an official designation registered in terms of the National Qualifications Framework Act, 67 of 2008. The entry criteria for the designation as published in Government Gazette is:
- Qualification requirement:
- Commerce based National Diploma or Degree from an accredited institute of higher learning, that includes the 5 following subjects: Accounting III, Auditing II, Tax II, Management Accounting II, Corporate Law II.
- If your qualifications did not include the above you may be eligible to write a CIBA accredited assessment based on RPL. Click here to read more.
- Alternative qualifications and exemptions may be applicable, for example professional levels achieved from a professional body. Click here to read more
- NQF7 or higher
- For foreign qualifications, evaluation by SAQA is required. Please click here for more information
- Experience requirement:
- 4 years relevant experience in finance department specific to accounting and tax, or 3 years as a trainee in practice
- Experience will be verified by way of a logbook completed by employer and correlation with credit bureaus
- Assessment:
- Completion of a course and assessment in ethics.
- Completion of the CIBA Annual Practice License. Click here to read more
- Private practice:
- CBAP holders may act in private practice e.g. only CBAP holders are allowed to act as accountants in private practice or as accounting officers.
The application process and post-designation requirements
- Application
- Click the Join us button to the right.
- Register as a CIBA Member. You will be redirected to a secure online payment portal to pay your CIBA Member fee.
- Complete the CBAP application form and confirm you are a person in good standing.
- Qualification
- Submit certified copies of your ID and latest CV
- Submit certified copies of academic transcripts. Make sure you have the required subjects or obtain them via the cpd.myciba.org
- Provide proof of relevant qualifications:
- A completed qualification for example:
- National Diploma: Accounting, Cost and management, Management, Entrepeneurship, etc.
- B Com: Accounting
- B Com: Investment
- B Com: Business Management.
- B Com: Cost and Management.
- B Com: Internal Audit
- B Com: Economics
- B Com: Financial sciences
- B Com: Law
- B Com: Marketing Management
- Etc.
- or
- Having passed professional levels from an accredited professional accounting body e.g.
- CIMA Certificate, Operational and Management levels.
- ICB Financial Accounting.
- ACCA Advanced diploma in accounting and business.
- or
- A SAQA evaluation and alignment certificate indicating the comparative South African qualification if the qualification was obtained from a Non South African Institute of higher learning
- or
- Relevant prior learning obtained in the from of part qualifications, modules, short courses or similar courses completed and which CIBA has recognised for membership purposes. In this case the experience requirements are adjusted to 10 years demonstratable experience within an accounting firm environment.
- or
- Membership of a professional body that ascribes to the membership criteria of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) or a professional body with whom CIBA has signed a membership agreement, and whom CIBA has recognised for membership purposes.
- Experience
- Complete the workplace experience assessment and confirmation by employer.
- Payment
- You will be redirected to a secure online payment portal to pay your CBAP designation fee. This can be paid annually or monthly via debit order.
- Evaluation
- We will evaluate your application and supporting documents.
- Once your application is approved we will email you confirmation of registration and certificate.
Continuous quality confirmation is a hallmark of the CBAP designation. This gives credibility and is valued by employers
- Professional Readiness Programme
The Chartered designation is a mark of excellence in the accounting and finance profession. It demonstrates to employers, clients, and peers that the holder is committed to best practices, ethical conduct, and lifelong learning and maintains high professional standards. As the profession evolves, accountants must go beyond technical expertise to demonstrate ethical leadership, industry awareness, and accountability. The Professional Readiness Programme reinforces and evaluates the skills to navigate a dynamic business environment while upholding public trust. It includes the following areas: Technical Application Skills, Ethical Awareness, Environmental Awareness, and Readiness for Responsibility.
- Ethics
The CIBA ethics CPD assessment be completed annually.
- Technology and business
CBAP should stay updated on technology and business development by annually completing CPD events in technology and business.
- CPD
A CBAP needs to log 40 hours continuing professional development (CPD) per annum. CPD is required by law from all accountants in South African that have earned a designation. It shows your commitment to lifelong learning, and must be obtained from cpd.myciba.org
As a Chartered Business Accountant - Practice or CBAP you gain recognition in the following ways:
- A SAQA recognised designation
- Statutory recognition as Accounting Officer
- Statutory recognition as Commissioner of Oaths
- Statutory recognition as Independent reviewer, subject to License
- Statutory recognition as Business Rescue Practitioner, subject to License
- Recognition as Accountant in Practice
- Recognition as a Business Advisor
- Recognition as a Management Consultant
- Recognition as Tax Practitioner, subject to License
- Exemption to CIMA level 1 and level 2
- Access to job opportunities
- Access to clients
- Marketing and promotion
- Access to accounting news and developments
- Networking opportunities
- Personal and professional development seminars and free webinars
- Pathway to specialist licenses
Contact us
- Contact us on 012 643 1800 or send an email to membership@myciba.org should you require more information about the process.